Reports to: Befriending Team Project Coordinator

Purpose of the Role:

Our Volunteer Befrienders are able to offer friendship and support and form a positive one-to-one relationship with vulnerable adults who live alone or who have difficulty in leaving their homes to socialize.

Key Responsibilities:

• Being available to Volunteer for a minimum of one and a half hours per week for a minimum of 6 months
• Building a sensitive and caring relationship with the client
• Spending time with the client and engaging in activities that are mutually agreed upon
• Being understanding rather than judgmental about a client’s situation or circumstances
• Respecting Confidentiality of clients at all times
• Establishing and maintaining appropriate boundaries
• Attending and participating in Induction Training as an essential and participating in ongoing training as appropriate
• Respecting different cultural values  in a non-discriminatory manner
• Meeting the Befriending Project Coordinator regularly for Supervision
• Informing the Befriending Scheme Coordinator of any concerns about the client promptly

Person Specification:

Volunteer Befrienders should have the following key skills and qualities:

• Ability to commit to the Befriending Project for a minimum of 6 months
• Ability to listen to and communicate with clients, other volunteers and staff
• To be reliable and keep all commitments or appointments with the client (barring illness)
• Ability to maintain client confidentiality
• Ability to share skills, interests or activities with the client
• Awareness and/or understanding of the key issues facing the client
• Commitment to sharing information with the Project Coordinator